Shelf.



PATBNTBD SEPT. 18', 1906.

P. STBEG.

SHELF.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. za, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1808.

P. STEEG.

SHELF.

` APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 28, 1804.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS ms NoRRls PETER: 1:0., '.vAsHlNcraN, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL STEEG, OF DANZIG, GERMANY.

' SHELF.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

Application filed November 23,1904. Serial No. 234,086.

in the means employed whereby each shelf is clamped at any desired height upon the columns by the weight of the shelves and that of the load resting on the same.

A further important point consists in the fact that the shelves are suspended from above, veach one being supported by the means employed for clamping it. By this i arran ement the center of gravity of the loaded shelf is situated below the place where the clamp is situated.

Another important point is the special construction of the plate with the clamping device, that plate consisting, preferably, of stamped sheet metal, as well as the special method of supporting the clamping-roller, also the clamping-roller adapted to be fitted with a key.

Two. embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich l Figure 1 shows a set of seven shelves, which are arranged at any desired distance from one another. Fig. 2 shows a part of a shelf with a clamping device in plan. Fig. 3 is a section on the line A B of'Fig.. 2,. Fig. 4 shows a shelf and a clam ing device, this figure being a section on the ine C D of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an exterior view ofthe plate hereinafter described with a clam ing device. Fig. 6 shows a somewhat mo iiied clamping device in part sectional plan, other adjacent parts also being shown. Fi 7, is a vertical section on the line A B of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows a front elevation of said clam ing device. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of te plate and the clamping device shown in Fig. 6.

The set of shelves are supported at each end by a smooth column or standard a, which is suitably of U-shaped cross-section. lIts two lateral flanges are marked with the reference-letter e. The shelf d, which may be provided with pressed-out strengthening-ribs, is

carried from the side plate b, which is in connection with the clamping device.

As shown in the drawings, the shelf d is supported from plate b by its downwardly and inwardly bent end engaging the upwardly-bent lower edge 1' m of the plate.

The plate b is provided with i four vertical projections n o p g, which may be made by simply stamping them out or fbending them up. The ltwo outer projections n and q may be formed by simply bending up pieces of the sheet metal. -lhe two inner pieces o and p may be formed from parts cut and stamped out of the sheet metal.

jAll four pieces possess at suitable places an 'oblique slot s.

The round roller c passes through these four slots s. The shelf' d' can be slipped transversely out of the plates b.

On account of the fact that the roller c becomes clamped or jammed between the two sides 1^ of the slots s, which are directed obliquely upward toward the flanges e, the carry- `ing-plate b is clamped and held on the col'- umn a. On account of the fact that the two clamping-flanges e e are situated at a certain distance from one another the load, especially if it is not exactly in the middle of the shelf, will prevent the shelf d from tilting forward or backward. The roller c has a ange or collar t on its front end, which flange limits the motion of the roller c when the latter is pushed in. In front of the flange t the roller is provided with a square u for the reception of a key, in order that the roller may be able to be turned by the same. If the roller is turned so that it rolls upward after the key has been placed on the same, the` late be- IOO ' variously modified.

stamping' and-bending. Nevertheless theseor flanges of the columns a, serving for theY guidance, of the two neighboring shelves d d. Moreover, the adjusting-roller c is shorter, so that it passes through only two projecting pieces on the carrying-plate b. Further, these are guided against the back of the column a, as shown in Figs. 6, by means of the bent-up portions Otherwise the action and methodof use are like the action and use of the constructional form shown in Figs. 1 to 5. The roller c has a projection v, and the projection n of the plate l) has a slot w, leading into the opening in which the roller works and through which the rojection of the roller is adapted to pass. T e rojection v is adapted to engage the inner sur ace of the projection n of the plate t and, with the collar t, lock the roller c in position. When introducing the roller, the proj ection u passes through the said slot and then by giving the roller `a slight turn the projection is movedout of register with the slot and the roller is locked in position and cannot be removed until the projection is again brought into register with the said slot.

The new set of shelves can in its details be It is obvious that the shelves proper may be set at any desired distance om one another. Moreover, the shelves d may be exchangeable, so that broad or narrow shelves may be employed at will.

It is advantageous for the plate b to be situated above the shelf d. By this arrangement the clamping device is subjected to tension in such a way that the load lies below the clamping device, while the plate b forms a lateral wall for the books or other articles.

The arrangement might, however, be carried out in the reverse manner, so that the clamping device would be subjected to pressure instead of tension. A specially favorable effect is obtained in the case of the construction illustrated in Figs. l to 5 by the roller c being pressed against the two narrow clampingiianges e. It is also important for the plates l) to be able to be situated on that side of the column a which is turned toward the books or other articles. Moreover, it is important for the plates b to be able to be taken off from the column a after the shelves have been taken down and after the clampingroller c has been removed, so that no di culties are presented to increasing or reducing the number of shelves. The effect of turning the clamping-roller after placing on the key is that when the rotation is in' one direction the device is still more tightly clamped, whereas when the rotation is in the other direction the clampingy device is released.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a set of adjustable shelves, the combination of a vertical standard, a sliding piece in connection with the shelf, inclined guides on said sliding piece, a rolling body arranged loosely between said inclined guides and said standard, and means for turning said rolling body by hand.

2. In a set of adjustable shelves, the combination of a vertical smooth pillar of U- shaped cross-section, a sliding piece in connection with the shelf, inclined guides on said sliding piece, a rollingV body arranged loosely between said inclined guides and the iianges of said pillar, and means for'turning said rolling body by, hand.

.3, In a set of adjustable shelves, the combination of a vertical standard, a plate slidably mounted on said standard, and in 'connection with a shelf, projections on said plate having inclined slots, a roller passing through said slots, and means for turning said roller by hand.

4. In shelving, the combination of a standard, a plate-like member having sliding and guided movement on the standard, said member having inclinedl guides and provided with means whereby one end of a shelf may be supported thereon, and a rolling member in the said guides.

5. In shelving, the combination of a standard, a plate on the inner face of the standard and provided with members projecting on opposite sides of the standard beyond the outer face of the same, said members being provided with inclined slots, a roller in said slots, and means for supporting a shelf from said plate.

6. In shelving, the combination of a U- shaped standard, a plate on the inner face of the standard and provided with outwardlyprojecting members having inclined slots, two of the said members being spaced apart a distance' equal to the width of the standard, a roller in the slots ofthe said members, and means for supporting a shelf fromsaid plate.

7. In shelving, the combination of a standard, a plate provided with members projecting outwardly on opposite sides of and beyond the outer face of the standard and having inclined slots therein, said plate being also provided with an inwardly-extending member for supporting one end of a shelf, and a roller in the said inclined slots.

8. Shelving comprising standards, plates on the inner faces of the standards and provided with members projecting outwardly beyond the outer faces of the standards and Ioo' IIO

having inclined slots therein, said plates be- I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ing provided at their lower ends with inmy hand,in presence of two subscribing witwardly and upwardly extending projections, nesses, this 10th day of November, 1904. shelves having downwardly and inwardly PAUL STEEG. extending ends engaging the projections of Witnesses: the plates, and rollers in the inclined slots of ERNST FRUNsKI,

the members of the plates. ERIK WINNER. 

